I am looking for input on transiever. I am looking at the Vertex VX-180s. We use a VHF system in the 150 megahertz range. They will be used in a fire fighting environment. Any known complaints/issues? ehams.net had some favorable ratings listed for it. Is anyone familiar with this model or any Vertex/Yaesu models for that matter?
Public Safety Transievers
- Thread starter SCPD
- Start date
- Status
I can't provide any information on Vertex commercial two-ways but the Yaesu amateur sister radios are outstanding. They are sturdy and easy to program from your PC. The only possible complaint I could come up with is their audio output is low. I would recommend them.
from everything i have read that seems to be a common opinion. i know our Sheriffs office went to a vertex radio and most everyone likes them. battery life and durability seems to be the common pro but everyone does say they don't reach out as well as the old HT1000s did in some of the mountaines areas.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
Vertex-Standard is now owned by Motorola.
They build decent radios, but their dealer support in Metro Atlanta isn't there, or at least compared to Kenwood and Icom (the other two Jap radio companies). Kenwood is now the world's second largest manufacturer of two-way radios, second only to Ma M.
I don't think the VX-180 is a fireground radio. Too small, too easy to lose, and the knobs seem difficult to operate if you're in turnout gear with gloves on. Not sure how they would hold up in the heat of a fire. All small radios (physically speaking) don't perform as well as larger full sized radios. This is due to the lack of counterpoise for the antenna system, which is more critical on lower bands (especially VHF).
The VX-600/900 is more suited for firefighting. But then it's considerably more expensive than the VX-180.
The HT1000 is no longer in production. It's a solid radio, the later revisions had lots of bug fixes (model numbers end in CN or DN) and the later could do narrowband splinter channels. Lots of accessories for them on the market and they're cheap. You can find HT1000's for around a C-note, just make sure to get a CN or DN revision (ask for the model number, e.g. H01KDC9AA3DN).
For not much more, the MT2000 is a step up, built on the same platform as the HT1K just adds a display (and 10 times the channel capacity, 160 versus 16 for the HT1K.)
Other worthwhile consideration are the Kenwood TK-2180, while on the higher end, it's a current production radio and a workhorse at that, lots of channel capacity, all kinds of signaling built-in, narrowband support (6.25KHz too), and rugged construction.
If you're on a budget, grab a used HT1000 (CN/DN). Otherwise get a Kenwood.
They build decent radios, but their dealer support in Metro Atlanta isn't there, or at least compared to Kenwood and Icom (the other two Jap radio companies). Kenwood is now the world's second largest manufacturer of two-way radios, second only to Ma M.
I don't think the VX-180 is a fireground radio. Too small, too easy to lose, and the knobs seem difficult to operate if you're in turnout gear with gloves on. Not sure how they would hold up in the heat of a fire. All small radios (physically speaking) don't perform as well as larger full sized radios. This is due to the lack of counterpoise for the antenna system, which is more critical on lower bands (especially VHF).
The VX-600/900 is more suited for firefighting. But then it's considerably more expensive than the VX-180.
The HT1000 is no longer in production. It's a solid radio, the later revisions had lots of bug fixes (model numbers end in CN or DN) and the later could do narrowband splinter channels. Lots of accessories for them on the market and they're cheap. You can find HT1000's for around a C-note, just make sure to get a CN or DN revision (ask for the model number, e.g. H01KDC9AA3DN).
For not much more, the MT2000 is a step up, built on the same platform as the HT1K just adds a display (and 10 times the channel capacity, 160 versus 16 for the HT1K.)
Other worthwhile consideration are the Kenwood TK-2180, while on the higher end, it's a current production radio and a workhorse at that, lots of channel capacity, all kinds of signaling built-in, narrowband support (6.25KHz too), and rugged construction.
If you're on a budget, grab a used HT1000 (CN/DN). Otherwise get a Kenwood.
I am now looking at the VX-350. After reading a little more last night I came to the same conclusion that the 180 is not the radio. Budget is very much the issue right now. No one really seems to want to throw more money at ht1000s. Don't mean to be contradictory but we do have a few ICOM f-50s in service. They have a very small frame and work exceptionally well. We would like to switch to these fully but once again trying to be a little more cost effectivce. I think I am going to be much more research. Thanks for the input.
Last edited:
firefighter89
Member
My department uses Vertex VX-180s and VX-354s. We have never had a problem with them.
- Status
Similar threads
